Zara and Mike have wedding rehearsal

ROYAL wedding fever hit Edinburgh this afternoon (Fri), as crowds of people gathered to catch a glimpse of the Royal Family at the wedding rehearsal of bride-and-groom-to-be Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall.

Members of the public waited behind barriers outside the capital’s Canongate Kirk, whilst police controlled the flow of traffic on the Royal Mile.

Royal enthusiasts were not left disappointed as at approximately 4pm, a small convoy of cars appeared.

Princess Anne, husband Sir Timothy Laurence and Mark Phillips were some of the well-known figures who emerged from the vehicles, alongside couple Zara and Mike, who looked considerably relaxed ahead of their big day tomorrow.

The pair were dressed down in jeans and wore smiles on their faces.

A coach carrying a group of young men and woman, possibly bridesmaids and ushers, also appeared at the Kirk.

There was a buzz surrounding the venue, as the crowd patiently waited for the wedding party to finish the rehearsals.

At around half past four, the casually-dressed young members of the party left the Kirk, before the royals descended from the wedding venue.

The party then left the Royal Mile and the crowd dispersed, happy that they had managed to see some members of the royal family ahead of tomorrow’s celebration.

The crowd contained a combination of royalists, curious locals, tourists and passers-by.

Security outside the church

Royal enthusiast Vera Charlton, 75, from near Middlesbrough, said:

“I travelled up especially for the Royal Wedding. I’m here with my daughter and granddaughter, so there are three generations of us here.

“I have been a royal enthusiast my whole life, it’s important to hold on to your heritage.

“I have visited Edinburgh once before, 55 years ago on my honeymoon.’We planned this whilst watching William and Kate’s wedding. We realised that Amy, my granddaughter, was on her school holidays, so we thought we would make a weekend of it so she could see what’s going on.

“We are hoping to see William and Kate tomorrow but it was lovely to see Ward, Mike and Princess Anne today. “

Daughter Jill Yeoman, 43, a hotel receptionist, from Middlesbrough, said:’I suppose I am a royal enthusiast because mum brought us up watching the royal family.

“I have watched all the royal weddings in the past and I am passing my interest on to my daughter too.

“I’m hoping to see as many members of the Royal Family as I can.”

Prior to the rehearsal a fleet of jaguars, Bentleys and Landrovers were parked in the grounds of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Guests walked in and out of the sunshine through doors guarded by policemen.

A green port-a-loo bearing the logo “classic loos” could be seen in the palace gardens.